Sunday 28th June set the scene for another memorable Midhurst Town Cup, with Lawns 1 buzzing as 6000 spectators and families enjoyed a fantastic day of entertainment. Visitors took in a wide variety of country displays, shopping stalls, vintage cars, a petting farm, tractor rides, and much more, before attention turned to the day’s showpiece event – the prestigious Midhurst Town Cup game.
La Dolfina/Marques de Riscal (LD/MDR) lined up with Alejandro Aznar (1) at 1, Simon Prado (6) at 2, Felix Esain (6) at 3, and 10-goaler Poroto Cambiaso at Back. In the blue shirts for La Hechicera were Pablo Galante (0) at 1, Ned Hine (5) at 2, 8-goaler Lorenzo Chavanne at 3, and Camilo Castagnola (10) at Back. LD/MDR started with a one-goal advantage due to the handicap difference.
The first chukka opened with a neck-shot goal by Castagnola after La Hechicera won the line-out to equalise. Castagnola continued this momentum with another goal midway through the chukka, before his young teammate Chavanne furthered their tally with a breakaway goal. This impressive run by La Hechicera was rounded off with a third goal by Castagnola in the closing seconds to take them into the second chukka leading 4-1.
The second chukka saw an impressive push from LD/MDR with two goals back-to-back, but a goal by Castagnola, assisted by Chavanne, kept La Hechicera ahead. However, a 30-yard penalty conversion by Esain, followed by a field goal and a 40-yard penalty from Cambiaso, left LD/MDR leading 6-5.
Not much goalscoring occurred in the third chukka, with both teams adding a goal each through a 30-yard penalty by Esain and a successful strike from Hine, assisted by Chavanne, in the closing seconds. LD/MDR went into half-time holding a one-goal lead, 7-6.
The half-time break saw the large crowds descend onto Lawns 1 to take part in the traditional divot stomp and meet the some of the Cowdray Pony Club players and ponies. Then with the sun continuing to shine, the fourth chukka commenced. An early 30-yard penalty from Esain put LD/MDR in a strong position. However, Chavanne quickly responded with a goal of his own, before the unstoppable Castagnola added another two goals to retake the lead for La Hechicera, 9-8.
The fifth chukka saw less drama, with a breakaway goal from Cambiaso and an excellent under-pressure run to goal by Chavanne, taking La Hechicera into the final chukka leading 10-9.
The sixth and final chukka unfolded with strong defensive play from both sides to start. Chavanne then put on a display of world-class polo, scoring two further field goals and converting two penalties to secure a 14-9 victory for La Hechicera.
Following the final whistle, Midhurst Town Council Chairman Richard Watts presented the prestigious Midhurst Town Cup to a delighted Pablo Galante. Jeta Castagnola was named Most Valuable Player and received a magnum of Gusbourne Blanc de Blanc from Rebecca Nightingale of Gusbourne. The winners’ and runners-up prizes were kindly provided by Aspinals and new partners Whisky 1901, while the Whisky 1901 Best Playing Pony Rug was awarded to V8 Grappa, played and owned by Lorenzo Chavanne.
